Bye-Bye, Baltics! Slovak PM's Moscow Journey Gets a Detour
Airspace over the Baltic States is restricted for flight bound to Moscow, associate with Fico.
Here's the lowdown: Slovakia's PM, Robert Fico, is on a solo mission to Moscow for World War II celebrations. But, the Baltic hotshots aren't having it and shut their airspace, causing a huge headache for Fico's flight schedule.
AirNav's given the lowdown. Fico's plane took off from Bratislava and's got its eyes set on Moscow, expected to land around 9:30 PM local time (8:30 PM CET). But, instead of the usual Lithuanian airspace, the long-haul flight will be passing through Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and then into Dagestan, Russia.
The Baltics aren't exactly Fico's besties. European airlines were advised in 2021 to steer clear of Belarus due to sanctions, and the usual Baltic airspace has been off-limits since.
The Baltic leaders aren't taking any prisoners. According to Fico, Estonia's already said 'no way' to the flyover, and Latvia's got their fingers crossed (or maybe not) on the Moscow event.
Fico's the only EU head of state or government attending the Moscow event on May 9. High rollers like Chinese President Xi Jinping are in the house[3]. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas thinks EU leaders should skip Russia's military jamboree[4].
Source: ntv.de, mdi/rts.
So, there you have it! The Baltic states have essentially given Slovakia's PM the cold shoulder, making his trek to Moscow a winding road[1][2][5].
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
- Due to the Baltic states' decision to close their airspace, Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, is being forced to divert his flight path to Moscow, ultimately passing through countries such as Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Dagestan, Russia, instead of the usual Lithuanian airspace.
- Amidst the political tensions between the Baltics and Slovakia, the Baltic leaders have been firm in their decision not to allow Slovakia's prime minister to fly over their territories during his journey to Moscow for World War II celebrations.
- Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, is attending the World War II celebrations in Moscow as the only EU head of state or government, while the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has suggested that EU leaders should avoid participating in Russia's military jamboree.
- The foreign policy of the European Union has been a topic of discussion regarding Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico's, trip to Moscow for World War II celebrations, as the Baltic states have shut their airspace to the prime minister's flight, causing a detour, and the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has criticized EU leaders for attending the Moscow event.
